Role
UX/UI Designer
Timeline
8 Weeks (2026)
Tools
Figma, Google Workspace, Otter, Pollo, Zoom
Focus
Housing discovery, trust improvement, streamlined comparison
Problem
Users struggle to find relevant housing listings due to inconsistent information, limited filtering, and overwhelming volume. This redesign improves clarity, comparison, and trust through a more structured interface.
Research
The research focused on how users search for and evaluate housing listings, identifying key breakdowns in trust, clarity, and comparison. Interviews and competitive analysis revealed that inconsistent information, limited structure, and high listing volume contribute to decision fatigue and uncertainty.
Methods
I used a mixed-method approach combining user interviews and competitive analysis of platforms like Zillow, Facebook Marketplace, Airbnb, and Nextdoor to understand housing search behaviors and identify gaps in filtering, trust, and listing structure.
Participants
I used a mixed-method approach combining user interviews and competitive analysis of platforms like Zillow, Facebook Marketplace, Airbnb, and Nextdoor to understand housing search behaviors and identify gaps in filtering, trust, and listing structure.
Synthesis
Participants were adults who had recently used online housing platforms to search for housing. They reported frustration with inconsistent listings, limited filtering, and difficulty comparing options, highlighting the need for a more structured experience.
Key Insights
Users rely on filters, but inconsistent listings make it hard to find relevant housing quickly.
Too many unstructured listings lead to decision fatigue; users prefer clearer, standardized comparisons.
Fast housing decisions require clear, scannable listings with key details surfaced quickly.
Wireframing & Iteration
The wireframing process began with low-fidelity layouts to improve structure and reduce friction in the housing search experience. Iteration focused on refining layout, hierarchy, and filtering to make listings easier to scan and compare.
Visual Identity & Accessibility
High-fidelity design focused on improving clarity, consistency, and trust while maintaining Craigslist’s familiar identity. A monochrome base with selective purple accents was used for emphasis, with strong contrast and clear hierarchy supporting accessibility and fast comparison.
Design System
Defining the visual language through clearer layouts, consistent styling, and improved listing hierarchy.
Color Palette
Background
#FFFFFF
Appointment/Review Files
F9F1DF
Text
#000000
Buttons/Listing Cards
#E9E9EA
Active Tab/Logo
#551A8B
Typography
Inter
Headlines / Bold / 40px
Inter
Body Text / Regular/ 24px
The typography system prioritizes clarity and readability to support quick scanning of key listing details like price, location, and amenities, reducing cognitive load during comparison.
Final Solution
Listing filter and discovery
Structured reviews
Verification and trust signals
Core Features
USER STORY: AS A USER SEARCHING FOR HOUSING THAT FITS SPECIFIC NEEDS…
Advanced Filtering & Discovery
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CONTEXT: Users rely on filters like price, location, and amenities, but limited filtering makes it hard to quickly find relevant housing options.
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CONSTRAINTS: The system needed to support fast filtering without adding complexity or overwhelming users.
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EXPLORATION: I explored improved filtering structures to help users narrow listings more efficiently based on key criteria like budget, bedrooms, and location.
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TESTING: Users found it easier to discover relevant listings faster with clearer filtering and reduced scrolling.
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FINAL DESIGN: A structured filtering system that helps users quickly narrow and surface relevant housing options.
USER STORY: AS A USER COMPARING MULTIPLE HOUSING OPTIONS…
Structured Listing Comparison
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CONTEXT: Users struggle to compare listings due to inconsistent formatting and lack of standardized information.
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CONSTRAINTS: Listings needed consistent structure without adding visual clutter.
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EXPLORATION: I standardized key details like price, location, and amenities to improve readability and comparison.
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TESTING: Users preferred clearer layouts that made side-by-side comparison easier.
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FINAL DESIGN: A consistent listing format that makes comparing housing options faster and clearer.
USER STORY: AS A USER EVALUATING WHETHER A LISTING IS TRUSTWORTHY…
Improved Trust & Listing Clarity
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CONTEXT: Users often hesitate due to inconsistent listing information and low trust signals.
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CONSTRAINTS: Trust improvements needed to feel natural within the listing experience.
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EXPLORATION: I improved perceived trust through clearer formatting and more complete listing details.
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TESTING: More consistent listings increased user confidence and reduced hesitation.
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FINAL DESIGN: A clearer listing structure that improves trust through consistency and transparency.
Impact
Improved speed in finding relevant housing listings
Made comparing listings faster and easier
Increased trust through clearer listing structure
Reflection
This project reinforced the importance of structure and clarity over adding more features. By focusing on real housing search behavior, I shifted the experience toward a more organized, trust-centered system that improves discovery and comparison.
Through iteration and testing, I learned how small changes in hierarchy, layout, and consistency can significantly improve usability. Moving forward, I would continue refining trust signals, neighborhood context, and filtering to better support confident housing decisions.